Transcript of "ONiA, Adelaide—Am I Too Old To See An Orthodontist?"

1.
“am I too
old to see an
orthodontist?”
people of
any age can
look great
in braces!
Increasing numbers of Australian adults
are seeking orthodontic treatment at a
time in life when it was once thought both
unnecessary and unfeasible. However, that
situation is changing as a greater variety of treatment
options become available and public perceptions shift.
A healthy jaw and teeth are vital components of wellbeing and, as people increasingly live longer, they
are starting to understand that there is no need to
be beset by dental problems as a result of ageing.
Essentially, this means there is no upper age limit
for orthodontic treatment, or for having braces fitted.

2.
Some patients who decide to have orthodontic treatment as an adult
may have had a long-standing problem, but for one reason or another
were unable to have braces in childhood or the teenage years, and
so have made the decision later in life to rectify earlier problems.
Alternatively, it is often the case that adults who had straight teeth
when they were younger find that, as they get older, their teeth
become either more crowded or more spaced. In either case, seeing an
orthodontist to address these problems should be seen as a positive,
simple step and is one that an increasing number of adults are taking.
More often than not, it’s concern about the process of orthodontic
treatment—and in particular, wearing braces—that prevents adults
from seeking help. For some, it just doesn’t seem right somehow
for an adult to have braces, as they’re are most often associated
with adolescence (and, possibly, a good deal of teasing at school).
Many adults simply feel embarrassed at the
prospect of braces and for this reason avoid
seeking orthodontic treatment that could
Invisalign
significantly impact on their quality of life.
aligners are
virtually
invisible

3.
However, there are now a growing
number of adults, some even
very senior in years, who are
wearing braces. Ironically, part of
the reason that some people feel
self-conscious about the prospect
of braces, thinking that no-one
else of their age has them, is
that advances in technology now
mean that braces are far less
cumbersome and significantly less
intrusive than ever before, and
now alongside traditional metal
braces, we are able to offer hidden
(lingual) braces, ceramic braces,
and removable, clear Invisalign
aligners. These more advanced,
wearer-friendly braces are ideal
for adults, as they don’t impact
on your appearance and go
undetected for much of the time.
in many cases
are
virtually
invisible.
This
means
that
because
they
have
become
so much less
noticeable,
there’s a far greater number of
people currently wearing braces
than many of us are aware
of. The way braces are made,
fitted and worn has moved on
significantly in recent years, and
ultimately receives the biggest
boost from orthodontic treatment
and braces. There is untold
benefit to be gained from a
healthy, happy smile, and if you
have previously found yourself
hesitant about smiling, newly
straightened and evenly-spaced
teeth will undoubtedly enhance
your self-confidence. For most
of our patients, the pay-off is
worth overcoming any initial
hesitation
or
embarrassment
about having braces fitted.
lingual
braces are
fitted to the
inside of
your teeth
And for most people it is actually
their physical appearance that

4.
Another factor that makes some
adults
reluctant
to
explore
the idea of braces is concern
over the perceived discomfort,
inconvenience and difficulty of
keeping them clean. These may
have once been legitimate causes
for concern, but braces today are
smaller and more compact and
so don’t impact on everyday life
to the extent
that they once
ceramic
did. Additionally,
a l t h o u g h
braces are
wearing braces
popular
does require a
with adults robust dental
hygiene routine, the fact that they
are now far less bulky makes this
process simpler. Also, generally
speaking, adults do tend to be
more rigorous and disciplined
when it comes to dental care
routines than younger people
(perhaps because they are
better able to project into the
future and see the end result),
and so wearing braces shouldn’t
present too many difficulties
in this regard for most people.
There
are
some
physical
challenges that adults face when
undergoing orthodontic treatment
that are not present
for teenagers and
children. In adults,
the bones in the jaw
have stopped growing
so it could mean
that it takes longer
for an adult’s teeth
to be straightened,
but although teeth
movement is slower
as we get older, it is
indeed still possible
and so the outcomes
are generally just
as positive as in
a
much
younger
person. In fact, as
straightening
teeth
at any age involves
essentially the same
processes, the length

5.
of time required for a problem
to be corrected depends far
more on the patient’s individual
condition than it does on age.
Orthodontic
Network in Adelaide
(ONiA)
South Australia’s biggest
orthodontic network
3rd Floor
Bagot House
198 North Terrace
Adelaide SA 5000
Ph: 08 8227 0336
Fax: 08 8227 1626
info@onia.com.au
www.onia.com.au
It also needs to be remembered
that, improved appearance aside,
there can be significant oral
health benefits to be gained from
orthodontic treatment, irrespective
of your age. For instance, correcting
a problem with your bite will reduce
uneven wear and tear on your teeth
and can make eating and drinking
much more comfortable as well.
Overall therefore, if your teeth
and gums are healthy, and the
supporting structures are strong,
there
will
generally
nothing
physically preventing you from
having orthodontic treatment. The
oral health benefits and boost to
your confidence are immeasurable,
and the process is far less
traumatic than it might have been
in your youth. And if you’re one of
those people concerned about the
effect that braces might have on
your appearance, remember that
(hopefully!) your adult friends and
colleagues are likely to respond
in far more positive manner than
perhaps more immature friends
during your school years might have!
This article was written and distributed by Cadogan and Hall, a team of freelance writers based in
Adelaide, South Australia. We specialise in producing online content, websites, blogs, articles and
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